# Absolute WTF, 'what were they thinking' plots and subplots in old movies and TV shows **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** theater-stage-dance\ **Created:** [December 27, 2023, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229 "2023-12-27T13:58:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/281 "2024-01-13T23:05:15Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Alright, I’ll be that guy: I love Olivia Newton-John, thought she had a beautiful voice. Don’t get me wrong; I do, too. She was my biggest celebrity crush, from the time I was 13, until well into my 30s, and I still enjoy her music. I was just having some fun with it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/282 "2024-01-13T23:45:11Z")
Good man. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/283 "2024-01-14T01:20:29Z")
I’ll be checking back here in a few years for: # Absolute WTF, ‘what were they thinking’ hijacks and hijinks in old SDMB threads ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/284 "2024-01-14T07:09:36Z")
> [@Johnny\_Q](#): > > “Because anything’s better than listening to a song by Olivia Newton John.” Nonsense. 😀 [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J3_uO5Fa8Oo/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgVyhbMA8=&rs=AOn4CLAP5sG-cdZHDE0U-ZEctPwNCv7Q3g "Olivia Newton John - Magic (live on the midnight special)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3_uO5Fa8Oo) > [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Alright, I’ll be that guy: I love Olivia Newton-John, thought she had a beautiful voice. And _Afternoon Delight_ has cheesy lyrics, but I really enjoy the harmony. I concur. Not all of her stuff is gold, of course. _Afternoon Delight_ just makes me happy. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/285 "2024-01-14T13:30:51Z")
Billy, keep your head low-oh-oh ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/286 "2024-01-14T13:38:50Z")
> [@XOldiesJock](#): > > Bobby went back to share croppin’. I thought she rode the rails with Kris Kristofferson. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/287 "2024-01-14T14:06:29Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Billy, keep your head low-oh-oh Y’know, I’ve really enjoyed my time with all you other Dopers since I joined back in 2010! We’ve had joy, we had fun We had seasons in the sun ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/288 "2024-01-14T14:10:42Z")
> [@solost](#): > > We’ve had joy, we had fun > We had seasons in the sun “But the stars we could reach Were just starfish on the beach” …huh? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/289 "2024-01-14T14:11:42Z")
Strip off your pride; you’re acting like a teeny-bopper runaway child. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/290 "2024-01-14T14:32:53Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > “But the stars we could reach > Were just starfish on the beach” > > …huh? They wanted to reach for the stars, but the closest they could possibly come was checking out starfish on the beach. Their hopes and dreams far outstripped their abilities, ambition, intelligence, and lyric writing competence. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/291 "2024-01-14T17:26:11Z")
We had brand new roller skates and [brand new keys](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKcpodt0YCU)! In the playgrounds of our [minds](https://youtu.be/n08ETcI1AAo)! ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/292 "2024-01-15T04:19:27Z")
She’s gonna love me in my Chevy van and that’s all right with me. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/293 "2024-01-15T15:26:48Z")
But you won’t need no camel when I take you for a ride. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/294 "2024-01-15T15:31:44Z")
Between this and the ’ [Rock albums that define the 1970s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-albums-that-define-the-1970s/996078)’ thread, I’m having a lot of nostalgic, AM radio staticky, Earth-color tinted memories stir up. Lots of Avocado and Harvest Gold shades. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/295 "2024-01-15T15:35:54Z")
Where we’re going, we don’t need camels. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/296 "2024-01-15T15:38:42Z")
Send your camel to bed. _Let’s slip off to a sand dune, real soon_ _And kick up a little dust_ _If you like makin’ love at midnight_ _In the dunes on the cape_ What was it with the 70s and doin’ it on sand dunes? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/297 "2024-01-15T16:36:42Z")
I feel like that could get awkward fast. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/298 "2024-01-15T17:24:34Z")
People who hold romantic notions about sex in the sand have forgotten their childhood days at the beach. You remember, when your mother would make you shake out your suit before she’d let you get in the car, and the pile of sand that collected by your feet made you 3 inches taller? Now imagine that sand getting into intimate places while you are trying to get busy. Sex on the beach (or on the dunes) is something you do **once**. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/299 "2024-01-15T18:53:40Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > People who hold romantic notions about sex in the sand have forgotten their childhood days at the beach. You remember, when your mother would make you shake out your suit before she’d let you get in the car, and the pile of sand that collected by your feet made you 3 inches taller? > > Now imagine that sand getting into intimate places while you are trying to get busy. Sex on the beach (or on the dunes) is something you do **once** [Cracked.com](http://Cracked.com) had an article about the ways all those romantic places to get busy - beaches, pools, cars - are actually uncomfortable or unsafe. Cars are cramped, chlorine dries up natural lubrication, and beaches are like having sex wrapped in sandpaper. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229/300 "2024-01-15T19:05:14Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Now imagine that sand getting into intimate places while you are trying to get busy. Sex on the beach (or on the dunes) is something you do **once** In my experience, it’s something you _start_ to do once. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-wtf-what-were-they-thinking-plots-and-subplots-in-old-movies-and-tv-shows/995229.md?page=16)